Saturday, October 17, 2015

The Broadmoor Resort and Hotel, Colorado Springs, For a Happy Anniversary Celebration


It is not every day that a couple celebrates a 41st wedding anniversary! Last year we celebrated our 40th at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, and this year we decided to book a long weekend stay at the five stars rated Broadmoor Resort and Hotel in Colorado Springs. We heard so much about this hotel's luxurious ambiance and we looked forward with anticipation to experience it for ourselves. (All photos and photo collages in this post will enlarge for easier viewing if clicked on)



Built-in an Italian Renaissance style in 1918, the Broadmoor main building is situated by man-made Cheyenne Lake at the base of Cheyenne Mountain, at an elevation of 6,230 feet. The resort is made up of hotels, conferences, sports, and spa buildings. Historically, national and world skating and hockey championships were held at the Broadmoor World Arena, and Golf Championships have been held at the Broadmoor Golf Club since 1921.


Original owner Spencer Penrose built the Broadmoor to be one of the finest hotels in the United States. He hired architects Waren and Wetmore, who had designed the Ritz-Carlton and Biltmore Hotels, and also Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of landscape architecture, to design the landscape for the hotel's 3,000 acres. Penrose also hired Donald Ross, a golf architect, to design the original golf course, which was once the highest golf course in the United States.


After Penrose's death, the ownership of the resort and hotel passed hands many times and is now owned by the Anschutz Corporation, since 2011.



The view we had from our hotel room.


The various hotel and resort buildings of the Broadmoor complex are connected by a 3/4 mile walkway around Cheyenne Lake, which presented quite a bit of walking opportunities...



...as well as many scenic views during our stay.




The grounds, buildings, and facilities were very well kept and so beautiful!




My husband and I enjoyed the indoor and outdoor pools and relaxing in the whirlpool hot tub. There were paddle and electric boats available to ride on the lake, and of course, the ultra manicured golf courses and luxurious spa treatments. as well as tennis, horseback riding, and many tours and attractions in the area. The lake was filled with ducks, swans, and an occasional visiting heron.



The interior of all the buildings was opulent in architectural detail, furnishings, and floral arrangements.




There were many quiet comfortable seating areas among the many building lobbies.




Every attention to detail was not spared.  Just look at this vase overflowing with hundreds of red roses!




There was even a cozy and comfortable library in the main building.




We enjoyed walking around the premises, just to explore the rooms and examine their displays.




The Broadmoor even has its own bowling alley and movie theater for guests to enjoy!




No wonder visitors to the Broadmoor Resort and Hotel have included heads of state, celebrities, professional sports stars, musicians, actors, and influential business people!  There are "Walls of Fame" of framed photos of these famous visitors, both from the past...




...and those who are more contemporary.




The extensive collection of western-themed artworks, both paintings, and sculptures in the Broadmoor buildings were astounding!  Two Maxfield Parrish western views are hanging in one lobby area...




...and an Alfred Bierstadt painting flanked by two Frederic Remington sculptures on the table in front of it, was in another lobby.




Remington, Parrish, Bierstadt, Fraser, Dixon, Sharp---the list of famous artists' artwork on the walls seemed endless.



There were 26 retail specialty shops at the Broadmoor. I was smitten with the pretty selections in this shop!




There are eleven restaurants and many cafes and lounges, at the Broadmoor Resort and Hotel, and we enjoyed meals at the English pub called The Golden Bee, the Italian Ristorante Del Lago, and the French restaurant, called The Summit.  We felt the food was superb and so beautifully presented! We usually no longer indulge in the dessert when we dine out, but on one night we did, and the waiter knowing we were there to celebrate our anniversary made sure our dishes were sweetly decorated!



Two wonderful memories I have of our stay at the hotel was afternoon tortellini and pizza making class taught by the chef at Ristorante Del Lago one day, and listening to the music of a bagpiper played every evening as he strolled around the lake.  Of course, we also spent some time off the grounds of the hotel, visiting the Garden of the Gods and the Seven Falls area, but I will save those photos for future blog posts.


All in all, we were very pleased to spend this relaxing and pampering time at the Broadmoor Resort and Hotel. My husband and I made more wonderful Colorado memories here that we will always cherish. This was not the end of our anniversary celebration, however, as we also took a drive to NW Colorado on our anniversary date itself, to visit an entirely new place to enjoy--more about that amazing place on my next post!



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43 comments:

The Gathering Place said...

Pat, thank you for the post on the Broadmoor Hotel. My husband and I stayed there over thirty years ago. It was during the winter and I can't remember too much about it, other than it was very nice. Your photos gave me some good memories. I guess we need another visit. It is certainly stunning. Thanks!

diane b said...

Wow! That is one amazingly beautiful resort. Happy anniversary and what a way to celebrate. You two sure know how to have a good time. Everything looks so swish and the food delicious.

Anonymous said...

What a perfect place for a celebration! Happy Anniversary.

Daniela said...

My darling Pat,
what an amazing place where to celebrate such an important anniversary, I'm sure you'll remeber this celebration of yours for ever !

Happy Anniversary, sweet friend, have a joyous end of the week in your wonderful Colorado together with your charming family,
with love
Dany

La Petite Gallery said...

Dearest how are you? Sounds like you have lot's on your plate.
How is the weather there? we are in for another wicked winter.
Bought a new snow shovel.I never knew about this cheese.
My Dad's Family name, Sligo and Donegal area.
Yesterday Renee and I drove to Belfast, Maine the leaves
were awesome and we had the two dogs with us. This AM it
is in the 30's. October 18. Last year my snow removal was $1200.00
I am not looking forward to that again. Thank God the fuel is down.
You are a beautiful young GrandMother. Happy Halloween! yvonne

October 18, 2015 at 5:31 AM

La Petite Gallery said...

Well Happy Anniversary,
good photo of your Hubby, he looks happy.
This looks like a hotel for diplomats and Movie Stars.
What a treat. That Hotel has a lot of Restaurants.
Looks like I will stay home today, to cold outside.
yvonne

Vee said...

Just lovely! What a fun way to celebrate your anniversary. I recognized Art Linkletter right away...am I giving my age away? Ha!

The Furry Gnome said...

Wow! Quite the hotel!

Anonymous said...

Such a lovely spot for an Anniversary celebration!!

Pamela Gordon said...

What a beautiful hotel! It is really gorgeous and the grounds are so beautiful. How nice to stay in such luxurious surroundings. Happy Anniversary to you two.

Barb said...

Pat - you and Vinnie are doing it up right for your 41st! I haven't been to the Broadmoor in years - the last visit was for the Sunday Brunch. Your photos are spectacular. I didn't realize Anschutz now owns the hotel. It looks as though the inside has been refurbished since my visit. May you and Vinnie make many more happy memories.

Michelle said...

Pat, what a beautiful place! It sounds like a perfect weekend!

Sally Wessely said...

Your photos are astounding. I have tried to capture many of these same scenes before when I've been at the Broadmoor, but never with the success you did. Bravo.

Isn't that just the greatest place. I have always had that hotel as a centerpiece of so much of my life. I learned to swim there as a child. The pool was located where that fabulous gift shop you loved now stands. I also learned to ice skate at the old skating arena which is now gone. Oh the memories.

I'm so glad you enjoyed your time. What a great celebration you had. You truly celebrated your anniversary in style. Congratulations!

A Bit of the Blarney said...

One of my favorite places in Colorado. I have fond memories of spending the night at the Broadmoor after an Air Force Academy football game each fall. Actually, we had a grand visit with family there two years ago. IT is a glorious spot. Thank you again!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Wow, great post. I've heard about the hotel over the years but have never seen very many photographs. It looks like a grand place. Happy 41st Anniversary!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Pat, what a gorgeous resort. Lovely images of the hotel, grounds and the food. Happy Anniversary to you and your hubby! Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

Tom said...

IMPRESSIVE!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Wow! What am amazing place. Everything that you could ever want but what on earth are you going to. Do for your next year's celebration????

Sarah said...

Thanks for sharing, Pat. I have fond memories of the Broadmoor from my childhood.

Ida said...

Wow that is an amazing place. You are so lucky to be able to travel and stay in places so grand. - I thoroughly enjoyed all the wonderful photos of this place. Happy Anniversary.

SmilingSally said...

Hi Pat,

Did you ever envision 41 years ago that you'd be celebrating in such a grand style? Thanks for sharing.

Happy Blue Monday!

Judy said...

How did I know that you would give us a full tour after your stay? Beautiful place..with lots of history. I'm thinking you might have to go back for your 44th anniversary...to coincide with Broadmoor's 100th celebrations!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Happy Anniversary you two. What a beautiful place to celebrate.

Annesphamily said...

My niece Holly and her little girl Sarah love the Broadmoor. It is quite a lovely place to visit. Thanks for sharing.

Rhonda Albom said...

It looks very elegant. What a wonderful place to celebrate and happy anniversary.

NCSue said...

A beautiful place for an anniversary celebration. Wishing you many more happy years.
Thanks for linking up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/10/beach-walk-at-sunrise.html. I hope you'll add the weekly image-in-ing linkup to your list of blogs at the bottom of your post in upcoming weeks!

likeschocolate said...

Stunning! Thank you for sharing! I had no idea this place exhisted and I have been to Colorado Springs many times. Can't wait to check it out the next time I am there!

http://travelingbugwiththreeboys-kelleyn.blogspot.com/2015/10/out-and-about-in-city-atlanta.html

Kim, USA said...

Indeed, not all could celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary, it is already rare now a days, congratulations Pat and your hubby.
These hotel is pretty amazing. If I did not know where this hotel is located I would so thought this is one of the classy hotels in Europe. I love what I saw and might contemplate in visiting here in our 11 wedding anniversary, it would be nice. Thanks Pat for sharing.

Kim,USA

Tanya Breese said...

what a luxurious hotel, it's just beautiful! happy anniversary!

Anonymous said...

Oh, this is such a beautiful place! We stayed there way back in the '90s!! I'm so glad to know it's going strong and looking so beautiful! I'm so happy for you having such a lovely anniversary.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Every photo amazed me including that library, which is not something you'd expect in a hotel. Then having a bagpiper stroll around the lake...how magical that must have been. Happy Anniversary Celebrated in Style! :)

DrillerAA09 said...

I took my wife to the Broadmoor on a business trip. It is still her favorite place. You took far more images of the wonderful grounds than I did, but they bring back great memories of a truly exceptional destination.

LV said...

Thank you for sharing this grand adventure. That is the only way I will ever see it. Been to Colorado many times, but never visited this area. May you have many more blessed years together.

Molly said...

I love all the teapots and what a great view you had from your room

mollyxxx

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Happy belated Anniversary to both of you! What a fabulous place to celebrate .... I really enjoyed the tour ... That has to be the most photo- worthy hotel ever ... And it is definitely in one of the most photo-worthy places in the world.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

What a fantastic place for celebrating your anniversary! So beautiful. Happy Belated Anniversary to you and your hubby! I love seeing your wonderful photos of Colorado. I've been to the Garden of the Gods but it was 40 years ago, so I'm looking forward to seeing the area again through your lens. Have a great week, Pat!

Mimi said...

What a sensational place to stay. Truly memorable! It's on my own wish list now! Thankyou. Mimi xxx

Gracie said...

Well....you sure know how to properly treat yourselves...Many many many more years together of joy, love and good health!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

incredible photos from around the world.

spencer penrose is a beautiful name.

Claudia said...

Eleven restaurants! Oh my! The plays looks outstanding. I love how you have jumped head and heart-first into your Colorado home. You have convinced me I would be happy there .... if my kids were there! Happy anniversary!

La Petite Gallery said...

I could use a few days at your Anniversary spot. Once again Congrats, What is a white noise machine?? No they passed a law, you don't need a permit for a concealed weapon. They must be getting pay offs under the table in Maine.
yvonne

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Oh my gosh, what a resort! You would never have to go anywhere else. With that many restaurants and shops why would you need to? The grounds are gorgeous and wow, what a view! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Pat, I love that place! I was there for several days about ten years ago and had a fabulous time without ever leaving the property! It had such a residential feel and was outstanding in every way.